The International Housekeepers’ Summit 2016

by Shrutee K/DNS

Mumbai: Housekeeping, though the most vital activity of any hotel, is addressed as a “routine job” and is largely referred to as part of the administration department. The housekeeping team of every hotel is expected to ensure customer/guest satisfaction and maintaining cleanliness. But is housekeeping all about meeting customer requirements? Definitely not. It is time to redefine the role of housekeeping and reposition it in the corporate level.

The International Housekeepers’ Summit 2016, organized by Clean India Journal, to be held on August 27 and 28 at Sahara Star Hotel in Mumbai, India, will witness the convergence of over 200 executive housekeepers from across five countries to “Redefine Housekeeping in the Corporate Strategy”. Supporting this endeavor leading housekeepers’ associations -- Indian Professional Housekeepers Association, the Dubai Housekeepers Association, the Doha Housekeepers group and the Maldives Housekeepers' Association – have joined hands with Clean India Journal.

Right from leading a large team from the scratch to maintaining the entire premise to the desired brand level under a constrained budget, a housekeeper’s job is exceedingly difficult.

While leadership and managerial skills are the two essential wings of an executive housekeeper, what keep him/her out of the decision making body? Setting a framework on implementing the essential parameters – Sustainability, technology, training and procurement -- in the housekeeping department of the hospitality industry so that it can add to the bottom line and be addressed at the corporate level, the two-day interactive sessions will also open up avenues for networking, knowledge sharing, exchange of best practices and business development. Guiding the housekeepers in formulating a draft for the whitepaper on “Redefining Housekeeping”, General Managers and Procurement heads of leading hotels will join the session.

Some of the leading Experts from the corporate world speaking at the Summit include Ravi Valecha, Corporate Services-Vedanta; Anita Rodrigues, VP-Housekeeping-INOX Leisure Ltd; Sanjeev Singh, National Head for SCM, Cushman & Wake field; Stanley Britto, COO-FS, ISS Integrated Facility Services and Keith Monteiro, VP-Administration, Reliance Industries Ltd among others.

Besides, Presentations and Debate & Discussions, a Fashion Show on “Uniforms as a Corporate Statement” will be held during a gala evening of August 27. Executive Housekeepers are elated with the prospect of turning a new leaf in housekeeping.

"The Indian Professional Housekeepers’ Association takes upmost pride in being associated with Clean India Journal for the International Housekeepers’ Summit 2016 along with the other Housekeepers’ Associations of the world..." -- Vaishali Sinha, General Secretary - IPHA and Director Housekeeper, Meluha - The Fern, Mumbai.

"IHS 2016 underlines the strategy towards Housekeepers empowerment and its efforts to drive and facilitate global dialogue. We are looking forward to the IHS 2016 as it will not only showcase the latest trends in the cleaning industry but also deliver a powerful platform for new perspectives to key issues in our continuous strive to aspire Housekeeping Managers to take on a corporate role..." -- Tatjana Ahmed, General Secretary-Professional Housekeepers’ Group-Dubai and Housekeeping Manager, Grand Hyatt-Dubai.

"Maldives Housekeepers' Forum is pleased to associate with Clean India Journal for the International Housekeepers' Summit. The theme of IHS 2016 aims at different kinds of strategies in the housekeeping department of hospitality industry, with a new thrust on the latest trends in the cleaning aspects of housekeeping..." -- Hari Krishnan, General Secretary, Maldives Housekeepers Forum.

"The Doha Housekeepers' Group is excited to be associated with Clean India Journal for the International Housekeepers' Summit 2016. Strategies in the housekeeping department play a key role in developing a strong well-managed and experienced team, as this increases the efficiency of the operation and has a significant impact on the hotel’s profits... " -- Prabhat Shukla, General Secretary, Doha Housekeepers’ Group.